Safety in Peru
General information on crime, protests, natural hazards, and health. Peru remains a strong travel destination, but practical experience shows clear safety differences depending on the region, time of day, and mode of transport.
Peru remains a strong travel destination, but practical experience shows clear safety differences depending on the region, time of day, and mode of transport. This page provides general information on crime, demonstrations, natural hazards, altitude, health, and traffic. A focus is placed on concrete, easily implementable measures.
At a Glance
Plan your trip directly
Crime and typical scams
A focus is on large cities, public transport, bus terminals, shopping streets, and markets. There is also an increased risk in peripheral areas and at night, even in well-known tourist districts of individual cities.
Where the risk increases
- City centers in the evening, busy squares, markets, and entertainment areas
- Bus terminals, transfers, queues, and crowds
- Taxi transfers, especially with unlicensed providers
- Overland journeys at night on certain routes
- Airport transfers, especially with spontaneous or unofficial providers
Typical scams
- Pickpocketing: Distraction, crowds, teamwork
- Robbery: often quick, sometimes with weapons, resistance increases the risk
- Express kidnappings: Forced cash withdrawals at ATMs
- Date rape drugs: Risk in bars and clubs with unattended drinks
- Internet contact fraud: Building trust, later demands for couriers or money
Protective measures
- Body-worn transport: Money and cards separate, small day wallet, rest in the safe
- Document security: digital copies of passport, insurance, tickets, emergency contacts
- Taxi selection: Use official or mediated providers, no spontaneous street taxis
- Drink rule: no unattended drinks, do not accept drinks from strangers
- Evening planning: well-lit paths, groups instead of solos, return journey organized in advance
- Lima Airport: secure pick-up via licensed providers in the arrivals area
Tourist Police Lima, Policía de Turismo: Calle General Vidal 230, Tel. +511 4601060 / 4600849 / 4600921
Protests, strikes, and blockades
Protests remain difficult to predict. Blockades can affect roads, rail connections, and access roads to airports, sometimes with little warning. In such situations, distance, patience, and flexible travel planning are more important than rigid schedules.
Typical situations
Main roads, rail connections, airport access roads, border crossings, or central squares in cities can be affected. The situation can change quickly locally, especially when political, social, or economic conflicts escalate.
Impact on travel
- Disruptions of long-distance bus lines, closures of main roads
- Disruptions of train connections, including on touristically relevant routes in the south
- Restrictions at land borders due to strikes or security measures
- Additional controls, detours, or longer waiting times
Sensible reaction
- Distance from crowds and demonstrations
- Rerouting instead of driving through, no attempt to push through blockades
- Buffer times at each stage, especially before flights and onward journeys
- Information sources through accommodation, reputable providers, and local authorities
Regions with increased risk
Some border and inland regions may have increased risks due to organized crime, weak infrastructure, or limited assistance. For classic tourist routes, the risk situation is usually different from that in remote border, river, or jungle areas.
Typical risk drivers
- Organized crime and drug trafficking in individual border and river zones
- Weaker infrastructure and limited assistance in remote areas
- Armed incidents and robberies on certain routes, sometimes at night
- Blockades or delays in shipping on remote river routes
Amazon and boat tours
An increased risk exists occasionally along certain river sections. A tour with established providers, clear route planning, and group organization are considered a robust basis. In Iquitos, jungle excursions should always be booked through official agencies.
Natural hazards and weather
Peru is located in a seismically active zone. In addition, the rainy season in the highlands and transitional regions can lead to landslides and floods. In volcanically active regions, ash, closures, or local restrictions can play a role.
- Rainy season: frequently December to March, depending on the source and region, also broadly classified as November to May
- Mountain routes: additional driving times, alternative routes, and flexible bookings
- Warning system: observe local warnings, closures, and provider information
More weather background is available on the Climate in Peru page.
Health: Altitude, mosquitoes, vaccinations
Health planning in Peru depends heavily on the route, altitude, and duration of the trip. Important are a calm adaptation in the Andes, consistent mosquito protection in lower warm regions, and timely medical advice before the trip.
Altitude and adaptation
Andean regions are often well above 2,500 meters. A slow ascent, rest on the first day, adequate hydration, and a moderate pace reduce the risk of altitude sickness. In case of severe symptoms, medical clarification is advisable; in serious cases, rapid descent is the most important measure.
Mosquito protection and tropical risks
In lower elevations east of the Andes, mosquito-borne diseases occur. Consistent mosquito protection with repellent, long clothing, and mosquito nets is one of the most important components.
Malaria in Peru, general orientation
- Transmission hotspots: below 2,500 meters east of the Andes, including Amazon areas and cities like Iquitos and Puerto Maldonado
- No transmission area: Lima, Arequipa, Ica, Nazca, Puno, Tacna, and highland destinations such as Cusco, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, and Lake Titicaca
Vaccinations and prevention
Yellow fever, general orientation
A yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travel to certain areas below 2,300 meters. For stays above this altitude, including Lima, Cusco, Machu Picchu, and the Inca Trail, it is described as not recommended in official advisories. However, a vaccination certificate may still be required when traveling to a third country.
Plant medicine and ceremonies
A safety aspect concerns substances like Ayahuasca, San Pedro, or Kambo. Reports of serious illnesses, deaths, assaults, and thefts exist, especially in uncontrolled settings. A sober risk assessment and the choice of reputable, formally registered structures reduce dangers, but it does not remain a zero-risk option.
Important: Travel health insurance with medical evacuation is particularly sensible for Peru because medical care outside Lima and in remote regions can be significantly limited.
Traffic and mobility
Chaotic traffic is commonplace in many cities. An increased risk of accidents affects intercity routes, especially on mountain roads and at night. Strikes, weather, or road closures can also temporarily restrict passenger transport at short notice.
Robust decisions for transport
- Daytime travel: Focus on travel during daylight, reduction of night travel
- Bus choice: larger providers and fixed terminals instead of spontaneous departures
- Taxi: official companies or mediation through accommodation, no street pickups
- Passport copy: For domestic flights and bus trips within Peru, an identification document or a copy may be required
Route to Machu Picchu
Train travel as often safer alternative to certain bus and dirt road routes.
More details are on the Transport in Peru page.
Checklist for safe days in Peru
- Documents: digital copies, separate storage, emergency numbers readily available
- Money: small cash reserve, cards separate, larger valuables in the safe
- Mobility: avoid night travel, buffer times before flights, alternative routes planned
- Environment: avoid peripheral areas and risky zones, evening routes short and organized
- Demonstrations: keep distance from gatherings, do not pass blockades
- Health: altitude acclimatization, mosquito protection in the lowlands, travel insurance with repatriation
- Crisis preparedness: registration on a crisis prevention list, contact details of the embassy/consulate
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Which places are considered particularly prone to theft?
A higher probability exists in crowded situations such as markets, bus stations, public transport, and in busy downtown and entertainment areas. An additional risk factor concerns nighttime and poorly lit paths.
What is the appropriate reaction to protests and road blocks?
A safe strategy consists of distance, rescheduling, and patience. Attempting to overcome blockades increases the risk of escalation. Time buffers and alternative routes reduce stress.
Is Machu Picchu located in a high-risk area?
Official advisories delineate specific risk zones. Machu Picchu and nearby tourist destinations around Cusco are explicitly mentioned as being outside certain affected sub-areas in such classifications.
What are the most common health risks?
Altitude sickness in Andean regions and mosquito-borne diseases in lower, warmer areas play a role. The focus is therefore on altitude acclimatization, hydration, and consistent mosquito protection.
Which mode of transport is considered the most reliable?
A general answer depends on the route and season. Daytime journeys, established operators, and train travel on heavily frequented tourist routes are often considered more stable choices than improvised night journeys and secondary routes.
How should I behave in case of local restrictions?
For travelers, this primarily means: observing local notices, avoiding demonstrations, planning flexible time buffers, and following instructions from accommodation providers, organizers, or authorities.
Sources
- German Federal Foreign Office: Peru Travel and Security Advice
- GOV.UK FCDO: Peru Travel Advice, Safety and Security, Regional Risks
- U.S. Department of State: Peru Travel Advisory, Safety and Security
- CDC Travelers' Health: Peru, Information on Malaria, Yellow Fever, and Health
- CDC Yellow Book: Peru, Altitude, Malaria and Yellow Fever Classification